Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-10-21
GhastIy Discovery |
THE SKELETON CT A MAN
FOUND IN TIE WOODS
NEAR ISLAND POND
VILLAGE.
NO CLUE TO HIS IDENTITY

Last Sunday q. IN. great excitement
prevailed throughout our community
by the startling intelligence that the
skeleton of a man had been Sbund in
the woods at the head of Island Pond.
some two and half miles or more
from the village. The discovery was
made by a son of Alex Stott, who i'm
mediately notified the Selectmen, and
they on proceeding to the place men
toned found the report only too true.
The deceased had on II pair of heavy
laced boots, sewed, tapped with cop
per nails, pair of worste1 pants, two
vests and two coats, and about them
which contained two sovereigns, half
sovereign, a Canadian half dollar and
10c. piece,--the latest date on the
coins being 1904 plain oval gold
ring stamped 18k, and Ct. T. r. way
check number 5141. There was also
found pair of heavy woollen gloves, "a
7. ID. pipe, some tobacco, a box of
Canadian matches, table knife, fork
and spoon, but no trace of either hat
or cap. The clothing was 50 complete
ly rotted away that minute des-
cription of it cannot be given, not even
the celor. Appearances indicated that
the man had lain down on his right
side, right leg drawn up, left leg
straight, and head resting against the
trunk of tree. 1t is almost impossible
to surmise his age, how he came there,
or how long he had lain there, as the
location is II low damp place, where
the sun does not penetrate, and the
flesh had all dropped from the bones.
The Selectmen are employing all
means to discover who the unfortu-
nate man was, and the local authori-
ties of the railroad are endeavoring to
trace the check, in both cases thus
far without success. In the hope that
the affair may not be forever sllrouded
in mystery, State and Eastern Town
ship papers would confer great favor
by giving publicity to the above.
All communications on the subject
addressed to Mr.. ]. G. Rawson, First
Selectman of Brighton, will be gladly
received on behalf Of the town, and
the authorities in turn will be only toe
pleased to render every assistance pos
sible to get at the facts of the case.
LATER:-Since the above was in
type it has been ascertained through
the efforts of Mr.. Strathern, baggage
master here, that check Oil was at.
tached to an ordinary railroad rug
with two straps, checked to Portland
and that it arrived at Island Pond
January II, 1884, subsequently sent OF
to Portland, and last August was sold
as unclaimed baggage, realizing 10 cts
1t is now generally believed that the
unfortunate man was intending to 70
by steamer from Portland to the old
country, that he left the Gain on its
arrival at Island Pond and wandered
away TO the woods, and becoming ex
hausted laid down to rest, with the
result as above stated. 1t is possible
that his identity may yet be ascer-
tanned through the agency of the
steamboat companies, for if the man
purchased II ticket his name would be
entered on the ticket and name and
address on the company's books, and
the fact that the ticket had not beer
presented for passage might give the
necessary clue. We hope so. The
steamboat companies whose ships sal
to and from Portland are making ar
investigation, and the result is anx
i iOusly awaited,